Fire System Design

Specifications

1. System Components
   • Fire Detection Systems: Includes smoke detectors, heat detectors, flame detectors, and gas detectors. These systems detect the presence of fire or hazardous conditions and trigger alarms to alert occupants and emergency services.
   • Fire Alarm Systems: Can be manual or automatic, designed to send signals to a central monitoring station. Includes audible alarms, visual indicators, and emergency strobe lights.
   • Fire Suppression Systems: Includes water-based sprinklers, clean agent systems, foam suppression systems, and dry chemical suppression. These systems suppress fires by cooling, smothering, or displacing oxygen.
   • Fire Extinguishers: Strategically placed ABC extinguishers, CO2 extinguishers, or specialized extinguishers for certain fire classes (like grease or electrical fires).
   • Fire Hose Reels and Hydrants: Integrated into fire system designs for manual firefighting. Fire hose reels are typically installed along walls, while hydrants are placed outside buildings.
   • Emergency Lighting: Ensures safe evacuation by providing lighting during power outages or smoke-filled conditions.
   • Exit Signage and Emergency Routes: Clearly marked routes for evacuation, with illuminated exit signs that remain visible even during a fire emergency.
2. Design Process
   • Risk Assessment: Conducting a thorough fire risk assessment to determine the potential fire hazards and the necessary system components based on the type of occupancy (residential, commercial, industrial, etc.).
   • Compliance with Standards: Design based on national and international fire protection standards, such as NFPA, BS EN, ISO 9001, EN 12845, and local building codes.
   • System Zoning and Coverage: Defining the coverage areas for detectors, alarms, and suppression systems, ensuring complete protection across the premises.
   • Integration: The fire system should integrate with other safety systems (e.g., security alarms, access control systems) and ensure all components are connected to a central control panel for monitoring.
3. Water-Based Systems
   • Sprinkler Systems: Including wet pipe, dry pipe, pre-action, and deluge systems, which are designed to control or extinguish fires by discharging water in a regulated manner.
   • Fire Pumps: Used to maintain the required pressure and water flow in sprinkler and hydrant systems.
   • Hydrant and Hose Systems: Strategically placed hydrants and hose reels provide a manual means of fire suppression. Hydrants are usually connected to the municipal water supply or a dedicated water tank.
4. Clean Agent Suppression Systems
   • FM-200 Systems: A clean agent system that suppresses fires without damaging sensitive equipment, ideal for server rooms, data centers, and laboratories.
   • Novec 1230: Another environmentally friendly fire suppression agent that is effective in enclosed spaces, offering quick fire suppression with minimal impact on equipment.
   • Inergen Systems: Composed of natural gases, this system is used for fire protection in areas with valuable assets, as it reduces the oxygen level to suppress fire without causing harm to people or equipment.
5. Electrical Fire Protection
   • CO2 Fire Extinguishers: Specialized extinguishers for electrical fires, used to suppress fires without the risk of electrocution.
   • Fire Alarm and Detection Integration: Integrating the fire alarm system with the electrical system to trigger automatic fire suppression and shut down electrical equipment in the event of a fire.
6. Fireproofing and Compartmentalization
   • Fire-Resistant Walls and Doors: Essential for compartmentalizing the building and preventing the spread of fire to other areas. Fire-rated doors and walls are designed to withstand high temperatures for specific durations.
   • Fire Stops: Installed in penetrations such as pipes, ducts, and cables to prevent the spread of fire through openings in walls and floors.
7. System Monitoring & Control
   • Centralized Control Panel: All fire system components are connected to a central control panel for real-time monitoring and emergency alerts.
   • Remote Monitoring: Some systems offer remote access, allowing facility managers or fire safety teams to monitor system status and receive alerts via smartphones or computers.
   • Maintenance Alerts: The control panel or integrated software can send alerts when the system needs servicing or if a component fails.
8. Maintenance & Inspection
   • Routine Inspections: Fire system design should include a schedule for regular inspection, testing, and maintenance of all system components, including extinguishers, detectors, and alarms.
   • System Testing: Regular testing of alarms, sprinklers, and suppression systems to ensure they are functioning properly.
   • Certification and Documentation: Proper documentation of inspections and certifications, demonstrating compliance with local fire safety regulations.
9. Training and Education
   • Evacuation Drills: Fire system design should incorporate regular fire drills to ensure that staff or occupants are familiar with evacuation procedures.
   • Fire Safety Training: Regular training for employees or residents on the proper use of fire extinguishers, evacuation routes, and emergency procedures.